Rohit Vijayshanker Bhatt was born on
6th, December, 1931 at Ahmadabad. He hails from family of
judges and lawyers. He was the first postgraduate doctor
from his family. His grandfather was a judge and his father
practiced law. His father did not relish the lawyer’s
profession and switched his interest to social work and
writing articles for social upliftment.Mother was religious,
god fearing and devoted to family. She inculcated self
reliance and simplicity in life. Rohit has two brothers and
one sister. Elder brother Bachubhai is an MBA from Harvard
University and was CEO of Calico Mills in Ahmadabad. Second
brother Vinayak is a well known economist who served in the
World Bank. Sister Kusum is an arts graduate. Wife Minaxi is
an economics graduate from Mumbai University and is a great
support in Rohit’s academic pursuits. She managed the home
front with uncanny practical approach. Amit his only son is
PhD in electrical engineering from USA and working as a
professor in IIT. Purvi, his daughter in law is a graduate
in biotechnology from USA.She has her doctorate degree from
India. She is now working in Nairobi on UN project on
capacity building.Nirja; his grand daughter is studying in
international school. Rohit has imbibed family values and
simple life style from his parents.

Rohit had his medical education in GS
Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai. He also studied
pediatrics to get his DCH.He had great love for teaching and
research. So he joined as a full time teacher in Ahmedabad.
After a brief period in Ahmedabad, he was shifted to Baroda
Medical College as Professor and head and retired in 1984.He
served as visiting professor in Edinburgh under WHO exchange
program. He also served as short term WHO consultant. He was
the first Director of Indian Council of Medical Research
started Human Reproduction Research Centre (HRRC) in Baroda.
He was consultant to JHPIGO (John Hopkins program
international in Gyn.Obst) for laparoscopy training. He also
served as senior consultant to Population Council for four
years. He was invited as visiting professor at PGI,
Chandigarh and RNT Medical College, Udaipur. He was at the
helm of ob.gyn department for more than two decades during
which the department bloomed to greater heights. He was the
first to introduce laparoscopy in Gujarat in early
seventies. He also introduced the setup for micro tubal
surgery after receiving training at John Hopkins University.
He gave several orations in India and overseas – notable
ones are Bhandari oration, FOGSI oration, Sir Kedarnath Das
oration, Dossibai Dadabhai oration. He also gave orations in
Manila and Brazil. He received several prizes for academic
research –notables ones are Kasanji Ranchhodji prize, H.Desa
prize and Hari Om prerit award. He was examiner in
undergraduate and postgraduate examinations in several
universities. He was adviser for the 9th, five year plan for
health issues. Rohit is grateful to his teachers who helped
in achieving his goal. These teachers are Dr.Masani,
Dr.Shirodkar, Dr.Saraiya, Dr.Purandare, Dr.Merchant

Rohit held several posts in
international organizations. He was vice-president of Asia
Oceania Federation of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists.(AOFOG).He also served as chairperson of Safe
Motherhood committee in the same organization. At present he
is an honorary fellow of AOFOG. He is invited as key note
speaker at several international conferences. He received
advance training in laparoscopy and micro tubal surgery at
John Hopkins University

Rohit held top posts in several
national organizations. He was the president of FOGSI,
ISOPARB and NARCHI organizations. He was the chairman of
Indian college of obstetricians and gynecologists (ICOG) and
also Indian college of maternal and child health (ICMCH).He
was nominated as Fellow of the National Academy of Medical
Sciences, Indian College of Obst.Gynec and Indian College of
Maternal and Child .He is also the National professor in
National Academy of Medical Sciences. He received ‘Life time
achievement’ award from FOGSI and Harvard medical School. At
present he is chief of the Obst.Gyn dept at Bhailalbhai Amin
General Hospital at Baroda.

He is the Editor in Chief of
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (India)
and on the editorial board of several journals.

Rohit has more than 170 publications in
recognized journals. He has contributed chapters in 10 books
on obstetrics and gynecology. His areas of interest are
–Maternal and Perinatal Health, Contraception, pregnancy
anemia, infertility and environmental factors in
reproductive health.